Methods of treating cell proliferative disorders using a compressed temozolomide dosing schedule

Abstract

There are disclosed methods and kits for treating cancer in a patient in need of such treating comprising administering temozolomide according to improved dosing schedules.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 734,162, filed Nov. 7, 2005, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference as if set forth fully herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention describes novel methods and kits for treating subjects afflicted with a proliferative disease such as cancer, a tumor, or metastatic disease. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Stupp et al., J Clin. Onc., 20(5):1375-1382 (2002), report that brain tumors comprise approximately 2% of all malignant diseases. However, it is stated that with an incidence of 5 per 100,000 persons, more than 17,000 cases are diagnosed every year in the United States, with approximately 13,000 associated deaths. In adults, Stupp et al. report, the most common histologies are grade 3 anaplastic astrocytoma and grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme (“GBM”). According to Stupp et al., the standard management of malignant gliomas involves cytoreduction through surgical resection, when f...

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Benefits of technology

[0011] The present invention provides methods for treating a patient with one or more cell proliferative disorders selected from the group consisting of melanoma, glioma, medulloblastoma, breast cance

Problems solved by technology

However, Stupp et al. report that despite this multidisciplinary approach, the prognosis for patients with GBM remains poor.

However, they have shown only modest antitumor activity.

Although frequently prescribed in the United States, the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy with single-agent carmustine (BCNU) or lomustine or the combination regimen procarbazine, lomustine, and vincristine has never been conclusively demonstrated.

Certain chemotherapeutic agents (including alkylating agents for example) inhibit cellular proliferation by chemically modifying DNA, resulting in cell death.

The method, however, offers no suggestion of how to improve clinical outcome for any patient with an unfavorable “prediction”.

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